BIRD'S FOOT VIOLET Viola pedata
Viola pedata, the birdsfoot violet, bird's-foot violet, or mountain pansy, is a violet native to sandy areas in central and eastern North America. Two primary color forms exist, Viola pedata var. lineariloba ("concolor"), which is a solid pink-lilac-lavender color, and var. pedata ("bicolor"), in which the superior petals are a deep red-purple and the lateral and interior petals are similar to the concolor variety. Less common is Viola pedata var. linearloba forma alba, which is a white flowered form. Birdsfoot violet favors well drained, acidic soils in full to partial sun environments.
Type: Hardy perennial
Hardiness zones: 4-8
Height: 3"
Location: Sun or part shade
Seeds per pack: 5
Note: Ornamental use only. These seeds and/or plants may be poisonous.
Germination: As with many perennial seeds, these seeds require a period of moist cold to help them begin to grow. This is done by giving them a cold 'winter' period (artificial or natural), and then a warming to simulate 'spring', and time to grow! Here's how this can be done:
Obtain a planting container that has holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Place the seeds just under the surface of your growing medium, and water. Place your container in a cold area (but not freezing, perhaps a refrigerator) for 4-6 weeks. Once the cold period is completed, place the container at room temperature for them to germinate. Be sure to keep the soil moist during this entire germination period. Seedlings will sprout 3-4 weeks, or occasionally several months, after the warming period.
